Animals up close.
Zoos and Aquariums in Chicago, IL
We list 17 zoos and aquariums across the Chicago area. Compare prices, hours and age ranges in one place, then pick the one that fits your day. Admission runs $4 to $10, based on the 3 here that publish a price.
17 zoos and aquariums in the Chicago areaFind a zoo or aquarium in Chicago
17 zoos and aquariums in the Chicago area.
Sorted by distance from Chicago, nearest first. Straight-line miles, so every drive is longer.
17 places
5 of 17 zoos and aquariums
Where a card says no price or no hours listed, the venue does not publish it. We would rather leave the gap than fill it with a guess. Prices come from each venue's own website, and we publish one only when the figure appears on the page we took it from. Tell us if we are missing one you know.
Common questions about zoos and aquariums in Chicago
How many zoos and aquariums are there in Chicago?
We list 17 zoos and aquariums within 48 miles of Chicago, IL. Every one is a published listing with an address we checked.
Which zoos and aquariums in Chicago publish their prices?
3 of the 17 here do, and each price was checked word for word against the venue's own page before we published it. The rest do not publish one, so their card says no price listed rather than carrying a guess.
Which zoos and aquariums in Chicago suit a toddler?
7 of them list an age range starting at two or under. Check the age line on each card, because a place that suits a six-year-old does not always suit a two-year-old.
How did Mini Navigators choose these zoos and aquariums?
We list every one we have within 48 miles of the center of Chicago. Each is a published place with an address we geocoded and checked, and the business can claim its listing to keep the hours and prices current.
Do adults have to pay?
It varies more than you would expect, from free to full price, and it changes the cost of a visit by a lot when there are two of you. The price on each card is what it costs to get a child in. 3 of the 17 on this page publish a price at all, so call ahead about the adult rate before you rely on it.
Do I need to book ahead?
Many now sell timed entry, and the popular slots go days ahead in the holidays. Members often still need to book. Where a venue publishes a booking page, the listing links straight to it.
What should I bring?
Water, sun cream and a stroller or carrier. These are long walks outdoors for small legs. Whatever else you need is in the notes beside the listings above.
What else is there to do with kids in Chicago?
Chicago has 20 categories of kid-friendly places on Mini Navigators, from playgrounds and museums to splash pads and zoos. The Chicago hub lists all of them.
Listings last checked October 5, 2026.